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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Chap.. "?.„ Copyright No. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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GROWING 



Corn 



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A TKEtgTiaE ON 
CORN CULTURE 



FRott PI50WINC1 £LND PLANTING 
To HARyE3TTN(i AND 
JlARKETlNXi 



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V BY 

E. S. TEAGARDEN 



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THE WESTERN PLOWHAN 

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Growing Gorn Successfully. 



A Treatise on Gorn Culture, from Plowing and Planting to 
Harvesting and Marketing. 



By K. S. TEAGARDEN. 



Copyright 1895 by the Western Plowman — All rights reserved. 



PREPARING THE SOIL. 




T 



'he first work to be 
done is the prepa- 
ration of the ground 
by plowing and subsoil- 
ing. The time is past 
when the important mat- 
ter of subsoil plowing is 
to be neglected. Excessive 
and protracted drouths 
have taught the people 
the vital lesson that moisture must be 
stored up in the earth for the use of crops 
when needed. And this can only be done 
by deep plowing and subsoiling ; the deep 
plowing to be practiced each season, and 
the subsoil plowing occasionally. 

Deep plowing is now generally admitted 
to be the only true way, but the depth of 
plowing is varied according to the depth 
of soil, and according to the ideas of the 
various farmers who write or speak on the 
subject. 

The depth of soil should not determine 
the depth to plow ; some soils are only 
two to three inches deep, while others are 
from two feet to ten feet deep. A shallow 
soil is made deeper by plowing deeper than 
the sod, as it is a well-known fact that 
earth brought to the surface from great 
■depths will soon be converted into pro- 



ductive soil by the action of the elements. 
Therefore deep plowing will deepen a thin 
soil to any desired depth. Where the soil 
is deep the plowing may be one foot or 
more, and the subsoil plow may go down 
ten inches deeper merely to loosen the 
subsoil. The great matter to be accom- 
plished by deep plowing and subsoiling is 
to enable the soil to absorb the moisture 
of rains before time is given for evapora- 
tion, so that an abundant supply of moist- 
ure may always be present in the soil, 
and if this result is secured no great loss 
of crop will ever be met with in the most 
protracted drouth. 

HARROWING THE FIELD. 

The harrow should follow the plow so 
that no time will be given for clods to 
form or for the soil to dry out. This is a 
very important matter, and one that is 
much disregarded by farmers, to the great 
loss of crops and the increased labor re- 
quired to cultivate, occasioned by the 
presence of clods and a dry soil made so 
for want of harrowing at the proper time. 

The air performs a very important part 
in supplying the conditions of growth, and 
also in the production and supply of plant 
food in available forms for the growth of 
plants and the production of fruit. It is 
by the action of the air that the fertility 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



of the earth is made available, and unless 
the conditions are the most favorable the 
results will not be the most desirable. 

While the soil is loose and mellow deep 
down the action of the air on the earth is 
the most effectual in the elaboration of 
plant food by the joint action of the air 
and eaith. The object of cultivation is to 
supply the conditions of soil most favor- 
able for the action of the air on the soil, 
and mellowness and moisture of soil are 
the essential conditions to be supplied by 
cultivation. 

UNDEK DRAINAGE. 

Under drainage is essential where the 
soil is inclined to be wet, or as in many 
soils that are liable to be wet in a wet 
season. 

Under drainage will prevent the loss of 
a crop in a wet season, and so the expense 
of draining will be met by a single good 
crop, and prevent the loss of crops in all 
the future. But if deep plowing and occa- 
sional subsoil plowing is practiced, drain- 
age will not be required unless the land is 
inclined to be wet, or is liable to be too wet 
in a wet season. 

Having the ground ready, the next step 
is planting the corn, but before the plant- 
ing is done there must be the best seed 
secured, and one of the most important 
matters is the variety. Millions of farm- 
ers lose many millions of dollars by ne- 
glecting to use the best seed. And in this 
matter there is a very common mistake 
made in the selection of large ears. 

SELECTION OF SEED. 

It is supposed that large ears are neces- 
sarily late, and very generally this is true, 
but by a careful system of selection and 
breeding large ears can be produced that 
are as early as small ones. 

But the only successful rule to adopt is 
for each farmer to choose the largest ears 
that will mature in the latitude. 

A variety that has been developed to 
grow large and early ears with large and 
deep grains is the most profitable to grow 
for a crop. 

There is a tendency with some farmers 
to oppose large cob corn, but a large cob 
must always contain large corn, and the 
larger the cob the greater will be the 
amount of corn, so that it is clearly seen 
that a large cob is no objection. Large 
cobs with large and deep grains will give 



the greatest yield of crop, and this is just 
what every one wants, large ears and 
large yield of crop. 

DEPTH FOR PLANTING. 

If the soil has been properly prepared by 
deep plowing and subsoiling and thorough 
harrowing so that it is fine deep down, 
then the seed can be planted four to five 
inches deep, and it will be found that deep 
planting is of great advantage in times 
of drouth. A good average depth is about 
four inches and then every facility is 
given favorable to early germination that 
will prove favorable in times of drouth. 
Deep planting allows the roots to go down 
deep into the moist earth, where plant 
food is found to promote growth. The 
cultivator should be run through soon 
after planting, setting the shovels to 
throw the soil squarely both ways. As 
soon as this is done run the harrow over 
the ground until the surface is made level 
and fine. 

USING THE CULTIVATOR. 

If this work is well done, so that the 
surface is perfectly level and fine, the cul- 
tivation may be commenced as soon as the 
plants are fairly through the ground, so 
that the rows may be seen. The culti"a- 
tion should be continued once each week, 
if possible, until the double cultivator 
cannot be used any longer, or until the 
com is too high for the cultivator to be 
used, and even then, the single cultivator 
going between the rows may be used to 
advantage if dry weather sets in so as to 
dry out the soil, as moisture is kept up by 
keeping the soil well stirred, as mellow- 
ness of the surface soil will insure a con- 
tinuous growth by supplying moisture 
during a dry time. Cultivation is all that 
can be done, and it is an effective remedy 
under all circumstances and conditions 
and is the only thing that man can do. 
Till the soil is the only work of man, 
and if he performs that well all else will 
be added and the very best results will fol- 
low. 

SHALLOW CULTIVATION. 

The great danger, or at least one of the 
dangers, is that the cultivation being left 
off for one week the roots will rise toward 
the surface and when the cultivation in 
done the roots will be destroyed and the 
growth of the crop greatly interfered with, 
so that not only frequent but shallow culti- 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



vation should always be given. It Is diffi- 
cult to see how any one could ever have 
supposed that cutting and mangling the 
roots of plants could by any possibility add 
to the growth and to the fruits or the 
plants. If all the roots were cut the plants 
would die at once and if one-half the roots 
are destroyed the plant is at once one-half 
dead, and if any portion of the roots are 
destroyed to that extent the life of the 
plant is interfered with. 

If the roots are cut in a wet time they 
can start a new growth, but while this 
is being done and until it is fully accom- 
plished there must of necessity be a check 
in the growth and a loss sustained by the 
plant, but if this root pruning is done in a 
dry time then the roots cut will perish for 
want of moisture, and often the corn 
plant is seen to wilt, and how can there be 
continuous growth of the plant? The 
old-fashioned philosophy of bygone days 
by which the farmers were about equally 
divided between root cutting and deep 
cultivation and shallow cultivation has 
given way to a more enlightened practice 
among nearly all farmers. 

SUPPLYING PLANT FOOD. 

The great need which is supplied by 
cultivation is the supply of moisture, and 
this is effectually done by keeping the soil 
mellow on the surface. A mellow surface 
of three inches in depth will hold the 
moisture risingby capillary action until it 
can be absorbed by the plants, and this is 
all that is needed, for with the moisture 
there will be the accompanying plant 
food. By frequent and shallow cultivation 
weeds are prevented from growing, mois- 
ture and plant food are supplied, and no 
more can be done by the cultivat r, and 
no more is needed, as nature supplies all 
else and the greatest results may be ex- 
pected if the cultivator supplies these con- 
ditions perfectly. 

SOWING THE SEED. 

All having been done that can be done 
by the cult.vator and the crop no longer 
needing attention, the only thing left is to 
wait for the maturity of the crop, that seed 
sowing may be attended to, and the sel- 
ection of the largest and best ears is the 
first consideration, but this last should not 
be done until the perfect maturity of the 
plants takes place. As soon as the stalk 
shows perfect ripeness the seed ought to 
be gathered, for then it is at its best. 



It is a very common thing among farm- 
ers to complain of a " poor .stand " of corn 
and it seems like a very mysterious matter 
to them, but it is quite easily accounted 
for in the fact, that as a general thing, the 
seed is not good. 

It frequently happens that a rain "occurs 
after the seed is ripe, and the corn gets 
wet, is s if tened, and then a cold blast from 
the north sets in and freezes the seed, and 
it is rendered worthless. 

SELECTING THE SEED. 

Again, it is often gathered just at the 
right time, and is hung up out-doors to 
dry, but rains come and then a freeze, and 
so much of the seed is frozen and spoiled ; 
and still there is another cause of failure 
to grow, and that is it is placed where the 
first freeze strikes it, and all the ears that 
are not perfectly dry will freeze, and so 
the seed is ruined ; that is, a portion in 
all of these cases being only partially dry 
becomes frozen and spoiled, and in this 
way a poor stand is had. 

The great matter is to have the seed per- 
fectly dry before it is exposed to freezing 
weather, and in order to do this it is best 
to gather the seed as soon as well matured, 
and hang up where it will dry and where 
it will not freeze. 

If this simple rule is observed hundreds 
of millions of bushels would be gathered 
where now it is lost by a poor stand caused 
in some of the ways referred to. 

" As ye sow so shall ye reap." 

And if poor seed is sown a poor crop 
will be reaped ; and there is no other way 
outof it. It would be thoughtthat farmers 
should know how to sow seed after the 
world has stood about six thousand years: 
but the truth is, as is clearly seen from the 
millions |of "poor stands," that there is a 
general neglect in this matter. 

LARGE AND SMALL EARS. 

By selection and care in growing, all the 
best improvements have been accom- 
plished in the rearing of live stock, and by 
the application of the same principles to 
growing farm crops the same wonderful 
results may be accomplished. 

It is true that large ears with deep grains 
may be developed that will be as early as 
small ears with shallow grains. If an in- 
crease of one ounce in the weight of the 
ears could be obtained by careful and judi- 



(i 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



cious selection, it would add many millions 
to the general crop, and would reduce the 
cost of the crop to a paying point. 

The great object should be to get the 
most from a given area, and the only way 
to do this is to have the best and do the 
best at every step in the production of the 
crop. A high aim is apt to bring about 
the most desirable results. 

HARVESTING THE CROP. 

As soon as the corn is perfectly dry, but 
after maturity, it should be harvested and 
cribbed. 

Corn left in the field is bound to deterio- 
rate by exposure to rains and freezing, 
and should, therefore, be harvested as 
soon as it is ready. 

It is believed that the very best way to 
treat the crop, and to get all the benefits 
from both grain and fodder, is to "top and 
blade" as soon as the fodder is ripe. 

There are many and great advantages 
to be gained by this plan: 

First — The value of the fodder so saved 
is many times greater than the valueof the 
stalks after the corn is husked. 

Second — The valueof the fodder is much 
greater saved in this way than it would be 
if "cut up" in the usual way, as the fol- 
lowing objections are always obviated by 
topping and blading : 

First — By " cutting up " the heavy, large 
stocks, as they constitute more than one- 
half the weight and about the one-half of 
the bulk of the fodder without adding to 
the feeding value, for no stocK should be 
allowed to feed on the stalk below the ear, 
as the hard, glassy substance is injurious 
to all kinds of live stock. 

Second — By "cutting up*' the labor of 
bundling the fodder, in hauling, stacking 
and feeding, is increased at least three- 
fold, without the least gain to the feed- 
ing value. 

PREPARING FODDER. 

The proper way, then, is to " top and 
blade" as soon as the fodder is matured — 
that is, as soon as it begins to turn yellow 
and the grains of the ears are fairly hard- 
ened. 

The operation is very simple. A sharp 
knife in the hands of th9 operator, who 
must be of sufficient height to reach to the 
ears readily, when the knife is used to cut 
off the stalk just above the car. Boys may 
be employed to strip off the blades below 
the ear, and as these constitute about one- 



half of the fodder they ought always be 
saved. 

The blades may be laid on top of the 
bundles of tops, as they are cut and thrown 
on the ground. 

As soon as the fodder is partially dry it 
should be tied up in bundles and stacked 
in shocks of fair size, and tied up to pre- 
vent blowing down, and as soon as per- 
fectly dried out it should be hauled and 
stacked or stored under shelter at conveni- 
ent places, to be fed outto milch cows and 
other stock. 

As much as possible should be fed in 
racks out doors, so that there will be no 
waste by the stock tramping on it, and if 
carefully fed nearly the whole amount — 
stalks and all — will be eaten up by the 
stock. If fed in mangers in the stable 
very little litter will be left. 

CRIBBING THE CORN. 

When the corn is harvested it should be 
" snapped " from the stalk and taken to 
an open shed near the crib, where it may 
be Unshed at leisure, saving the "rush," 
the " hurry-blurry " and usual haste in 
the operation of harvesting the corn crop. 
The husks ought to be stored and saved 
for feeding purposes, as they are very 
much relished by all live stock during the 
cold weather. 

If the corn cribs and sheds were so ar- 
ranged that the corn could be readily 
thrown into the cribs as it is husked, a 
great saving in time and labor would be 
effected. 

FODDER AS A FOOD. 

The great objection to the plan of sav- 
ing the fodder consists in the fact that it 
is -supposed to take a greater amount of 
time and labor than the " cutting up" 
process, but when it is considered that the 
handling is reduced more than one-half 
and the storage room reduced about one- 
half this objection is fully met and over- 
come. It resolves itself into the question, 
"Will fodder saved in this way pay?" 
To answer this we have only to consider 
the fact that no feed is more valuable for 
milch cows than fodder properly saved, 
and no labor is better rewarded than that 
expended in this way. 

Hired help to do this work will be econ- 
omy, if ic is necessary to do so. 

No feed except clover is nearl- equal in 
feeding value, especially for milch cows. 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



as a milk and butter producer, to corn 
fodder properly saved in this way. The 
husks also possess a feeding value equal 
to hay or the best straw. 

Clover being so very difficult to harvest 
in good condition is less valuable than 
corn fodder saved in the way referred to. 

The great advantage gained in saving 
the fodder is in the fact that no extra 
ground is taken up to get this crop, while 
the clover or other hay crops must have 
extra ground to produce them. 

The grain of the corn crop requires the 
ground to produce it and so the fodder 
saved is so much clear gain, which costs 
you nothing except the labor of harvest- 
ing and saving. 

VENTILATION FOR CRIBS. 

The general habit of making wide cribs 
is a very reprehensible one. as there is 
liable to be too little ventilation, resulting 
in the grain becoming musty and moldy. 
For feeding purposes the grain must be 
preserved in its original purity in order to 
possess full feediDg value; and for purposes 
of use as a table product perfect purity is 
of the first importance, and very generally 
this is not had when the grain is kept 
in wide cribs, which do not admit the air. 

Cribs should also be made vermin proof 
— that is, rats and mice should be ex- 
cluded entirely. Although this is not gen- 
erally considered, yet it is a matter of 
great importance. Aside from the de- 
struction of the grain the filth caused by 
the presence of rats and mice is absolutely 
unbearable. 

Corn rendered filthy in the extreme iu 
that way is taken to the mills and ground 
through and placed in sacks and barrels 
to be consumed by the people who gener- 
ally do not have the chance to know the 
amount of filth and poison put upon the 
table to be consumed by the family. This 
is a grievous sin, to be punished by the 
"judges," and ought to be remedied by 
the farmers, who alone have it in hand. 

SEED DEVELOPMENT. 

Surely farmers should make some ef- 
fort to make an improvement in the seed 
of so valuable a crop as the corn crop. 
No one consideration relating to the suc- 
cessful production of the corn crop bears 
so important a relation thereto as the im- 
provement of seed. 



No man can stand in opposition to this 
and succeed for a moment. Its import- 
ance is everywhere acknowledged. Then 
why should not farmers avail themselves 
of the great benefits of this great advant- 
age? 

Does not every one know that seed 
grown in the ordinary way is no better 
than the general crop which has been 
grown for ordinary purposes? 

How can the seed possess extra qualities 
when no extra means has been used to 
give it more than ordinary advantages? 

Growing the seed in hills with two or 
three stalks in a hill cannot result in any 
great improvement, even if all other ad- 
vantages are given. 

How can it be expected that seed having 
one or two of its greatest enemies grow- 
ing near to it can grow to the greatest 
perfection ? 

Suppose one or two large weeds were 
allowed to grow in the hill where one 
stalk of corn is grown. Could it be ex- 
pected that the stalk would attain to as 
great perfection as when grown by itself ? 
If, then, allowing weeds or other stalks to 
grow in the same hill along wiih the stalk 
that is to produce the seed prevents that 
stalk from doing its best, does not this 
settle the question forever that the true 
way to produce seed is to grow the seed 
stalks separated from each other at such a 
distance that each may do its best to pro- 
duce the best growth and the most perfect 
fruit? 

PREPARING THE SOIL. 

Having found that to grow the seed 
stalks by themselves will produce tiie 
most perfect seed, how far apart ought the 
stalks to be grown ? 

Doubtless the rule should be to give as 
great a distance between single stalks as 
possible so as to permit perfect fertiliza- 
tion—say from two to three feet apart in 
the hills or between single stalks — and 
the usual distance between rows, or, say 
two feet between single stalks and the 
rows four feet apart — this distance be- 
tween rows will admit of cultivation after 
the stalks have attained full growth. 

It is important that the cultivation 
shall be kept up until the grain begins to 
harden, as it is an important fact to be 
ever borne in mind that moisture is needed 
as long as there is growth either of stalk 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



or of grain, and that moisture is supplied 
by keeping the surface mellow by cultiva- 
tion. 

This great width between rows will al- 
low the use of a single cultivator long 
after the double cultivator is laid aside, 
and the blades will not be broken near so 
much as when the rows are narrow. 

SOME TIMELY HINTS. 

In growing the best seed several things 
must be observed : 

First — The best portion of ground must 
be taken — that is, that portion best suited 
to growing corn. 

Second — The best seed must be used. 

Third — The best preparation possible to 
make must be given to that portion that 
is to produce the seed. 

Fourth— The best culture and care 
throughout must be given to that portion 
that is to make the seed for the succeeding 
season's crop. 

First, then, as to that portion of ground 
that is to be used to grow the seed. It 
must be plowed deep and with narrow fur- 
rows so as to break up and fine the soil 
thoroughly, and if possible it should be 
subsoil plowed to simply loosen the sub- 
soil, not throwing it out. After this the 
harrowing should be done so completely 
that the entire surface will be made per- 
fectly fine, and the harrow should run as 
deep down as possible so that the soil will 
be as fine as possible as deep down as it 
can be done. 

SUPPLYING FERTILIZERS. 

The importance of this work is seen in 
the fact that the roots of plants need to 
penetrate the soil to a good depth that 
moisture may be constantly supplied to 
the roots of growing plants. This portion 
of the ground should be thoroughly ma- 
nured, or well fertilized with the best com- 
mercial fertilizers, so that the growth may 
be the very best that can be produced. 

The very small portion of ground re- 
quired to grow the seed needed will not 
require much time, labor or expense in its 
preparation, and therefore no excuse may 
be offered for neglecting this important 
and indispensable work. 

If the very best conditions are supplied 
there will be such a decided improvement 
in favor of good seed that a marked im- 
provement will be seen both in the yield 



and quality of the general crop grown 
from the seed the succeeding season. 

SELECTING THE BEST SEED. 

The selection of the seed is the next 
step in the program of seed improvement. 

Of course every one will say that the 
very best seed should be used, but how 
will this " very best seed " be obtained ? 

We can only say that the best that can 
be done is to select the best from the seed 
to be used for the general crop. 

The largest ear with largest and deepest 
grains will make the best selection, but 
unless that selection is made from seed of 
a variety that grows large ears with large 
and deep grains, then it would be advis- 
able to look elsewhere for such a selection, 
for the cost of obtaining a small amount 
of seed to grow the seed needed for the 
next season's crop will be a trifling sum 
as compared with the advantages of using 
the very best seed. 

PLANTING 

Should be done as early as the ground is 
warm enough to start the seed into 
growth in order to give the longest time 
for the growth and maturity of the crop 
before there is any danger of frost. If 
the soil has been properly plowed and 
harrowed the seed may be planted from 
three to five inches. Clay soil will require 
that the seed be planted a less depth than 
in a deep black soil. If the soil is light 
and porous the depth may be much greater 
than in a solid, compact soil. 

The deeper the grain can be planted to 
insure quick germination the better will 
it be for the crop, and especially is this 
true if a drouth should occur, that will 
require all the moisture in the soil to be 
used, as every facility should be afforded 
for the roots do reach down below the dry- 
ing out point, and to this end deep plant- 
ing and deep plowing and subsoiling are 
the only source of reliance. 

CULTIVATE OFTEN. 

Having planted the seed properly and 
given the proper width between rows, 
say about four feet, and the proper dis- 
tance between hills, about two feet, the 
next step is to run the cultivator so as to 
throw the soil about evenly to and from 
the rows and then harrowing immediately 
until the soil is perfectly leveled and fined 
so that the cultivation may be commenced 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



as soon as the stalks are fairly through 
the soil and the rows can be seen. 

The cultivation must be continued at 
least once a week, and twice would be far 
better so that every facility will be af- 
forded for raoid and healthy growth. The 
first cultivations, when the plants are 
small, may be close to the plants, but 
after the growth has attained to the 
height of eight to ten inches 'the cultiva- 
tor should not go so close, but at all times 
it may be shallow, so as to not disturb the 
plant's growth by cutting the roots. If 
the.cultivation can be given twice each 
week and if it is kept up until the grain 
begins to harden there will be given the 
very best opportunity for the most perfect 
growth, other conditions being equal, and 
the greatest results may be looked for in 
the way of greatly improved seed. 

SAVING THE SEED. 

As soon as the stalk is perfectly matured 
and dried out so that no more moisture 
can be drawn from it the seed should be 
gathered and if there is danger of freez- 
ing weather the seed should be gathered 
sooner and placed where it will dry out 
perfectly. And as soon as entirely dry it 
should be shelled, as a damp spell is liable 
to dampen the cob and greatly injure the 
seed, and in fact in this way seed is often 
entirely destroyed by freezing after damp- 
ness has collected through the cob and is 
diffused through the grain. 

Dampness, heat and freezing must be 
avoided if perfect seed is desired. As the 
results of the entire crop are made de- 
pendent upon good seed, tvery possible 
care should be observed at every step of 
production and caring for the seed. 

But those who will not take the little 
time needed to attend to this important 
work of producing the best seed may 
greatly improve seed by following rules 
requiring less trouble. 

HINTS ON SELECTION. 

First— Use the best seed at hand. 

Second— Choose the best portion of 
ground. 

Tliird — Prepare this in the best manner, 
and 

Fourth— Plant this portion with the best 
seed. And if planted in hills thin out to 
one stalk in a hill when the plants are six 
inches high. Cultivate this when the rest 
of the field is cultivated and give it any 



extra attention that may be practicable. 
Even these simple rules observed will 
give an improvement that will have a de- 
cided influence on the yield and quality of 
the general crop ; and who would not de- 
part out of the "old rut" far enough to 
try this simple manner of growing the 
seed for the crop that is the most valuable 
of any grown on the farm? 

How much better it would be for all 
farmers if they would determine to pur- 
sue an intelligent course calculated to im- 
prove the seed and to increase the yield of 
crops. 

IMPROVEMENT THE ORDER. 

Every other industry is on the stretch 
to make improvement— every possible 
avenue is occupied and used for the pro- 
motion and advancement of all the indus- 
tries of the nation, while it is lamentably 
true that agriculture, the most important 
of all, and which, in fact, embraces all of 
the value and importance of every other 
industry, because all are based upon it, 
yet it still languishes and lurks behind iu 
the procession that is hurrying forward in 
the race of progress and improvement. 

It is a fact of great significance and one 
which ought to awaken the keenest inter- 
est on the subject, that the average yield 
of corn is now and has been for over 
twenty years reduced far below a paying 
point, and while this is true a still more 
alarming truth is brought out, namely, 
that the soil everywhere is becoming de- 
pleted of its fertility. 

The yield of corn as the average 
throughout the entire country is only 24 
bushels per acre, as reported by the latest 
United States census, while those below 
the average have been realizing far less 
than the cost of production. 

What can be the real cause of such a 
disastrous state of things? Can it be that 
the proper course has been pursued in ag- 
ricultural work? 

Certainly no person will assert that 
right methods have been practiced — it 
cannot be that such results are the fruits 
of a right system — and if this is so what 
may be the true cause of these failures ? 

Seed development has been sadly neg- 
lected. Reliance has been placed on seed 
grown in the ordinary crop. No effort has 
been put forth to improve seed, and of 
course no improvement has resulted. 



!() 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



WHAT TO WORK FOR. 

Whatcouldbe expected in the live-stock 
department had the same course of con- 
duct been pursued as has been practiced 
in farm crops? 

Who does not know that the wonderful 
improvements that have been made in 
live-stock have been accomplished by a 
strict compliance with the laws estab- 
lished in nature, that the selection of the 
best from " start to finish " and great care 
in bearing has brought these grand and 
benificent results that are everywhere 
seen in all the departments of live-stock. 

Why should farmers expect the best 
crops from seed that has had no atten- 
tion above that given to the ordinary crop, 
growing in hills with two to three and as 
high as four and five stalks? It is utter- 
ly impossible for each of these stalks to do 
as well as one stalk growing by itself. It 
stands to reason that no improvement 
can be made on the yield and quality of 
the general crop if no improvement is 
made on the seed that is to produce the 
crop. 

The importance of the subject of seed 
improvement cannot be dwelt upon too 
much. It is hoped, therefore, that farm- 
ers will awake to the importance of this 
great subject. 

And next to this, or, rather, first and 
above this, is the very important matter 
of the best preparation of the soil by deep 
plowing each season and subsoil plowing 
occasionally. Perhaps the subsoil plow- 
ing need not be done oftener than once 
every ten years. 

TO STORE MOISTURE. 

The great matter is to keep the soil suf- 
ficiently mellow deep down that the 
rains will be quickly absorbed and carried 
down into the earth, where it is safely 
stored for the use of the crop, when 
needed, from whence it is drawn by the 
capillary action of the earth. If the soil 
is not mellow of sufficient depth to take 
in the moisture of rains as fast as they 
come the greater part is lost by the evap- 
orating influence of the sun and air, and 
this is the secret of "depleted soils" 
throughout the country. 

Shallow plowing for successive seasons 
packs the subsoil, making it so hard that 
the moisture of rains and melting snows 
will not swiftly run down, and so the 
moisture is taken away by evaporation 



and is so lost to the soil and to the crop. 
Nothing is more important than the 
storage of moisture in the earth, to be 
used when needed by the growing plants. 
It is a complaint well nigh universal 
that the soil is bereft of its fertility by 
producing grain crops for about twenty 
years in the great western prairie states 
where the soil is from to six and even ten 
feet deep, and in one-half the time in the 
regions where the clay soil is only about 
four to six inches deep. 

RECLAIMING " DEPLETED " SOILS. 

Why should this result follow? Why 
should the soil become poor by producing 
a poor crop? Is it an unavoidable result? 
Is it reasonable to conclude the Creator 
has so scantily supplied the earth with fer- 
tility that there is not enough to sustain 
vegetation ? 

Is it now rather certain that unbounded 
stores of fertility are deposited in the 
earth and in the air, and that if right 
methods are practiced so that the fertility 
supplied may be made available that the 
greatest results will follow in the produc- 
tion of the fruits of the earth? 

Two important conditions are requisite 
in the production of crops and in obtain- 
ing the best results. 

First— Mellowing of the soil and sub- 
soil to the depth practicable by plowing 
and subsoiling, and 

Second— Moisture must exist in the soil 
and subsoil so that the plant food pro- 
duced by the action of the air on the earth 
may be male available. 

That is if the soil is mellow deep down, 
then moisture will exist and the mellow 
condition of the soil and subsoil will favor 
the action of the air in the transforma- 
tion of the elements of fertility both in 
the air and in the earth into forms avail- 
able for plant growth, and this is the real 
secret of all successful agriculture, and 
without these necessary and indispensable 
conditions all may expect depletion of 
soils, loss of fertility, low yields of crops 
and general barren results throughout. 

The simplest truth in agriculture, as in 
everything else, is of vital importance,, 
and the simplicity hides it from self-asser- 
ted wisdom. 

AN ABSURD POSITION. 

This vastly important principle in agri- 
culture is everywhere overlooked, and, in- 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



11 



deed, it is denied even by some, the gen- 
eral belief and teachings of those who 
write on agriculture being the very re- 
verse of those herein set forth. It is ad- 
vocated that the grain or other products 
of the soil must be fed to stock and the 
fertility contained in these products must 
be returned to the soil, from which it is 
supposed it has been taken, in order to 
preserve the fertility of the soil. But if 
this be true of one farm it mus>t be true of 
all the lands in cultivation, and if this 
course is pursued then the world will per- 
ish for' want of food, and from this con- 
clusion there is no escape, for it is infallibly 
certain this result must follow, there is 
no alternative. 

This extraordinary position is taken by 
the agricultural writers of the past and 
present times and seems to be the one 
thing always brought to the front, and it 
has been not only advocated but attempts 
have been made to defend it, but as is ab- 
solutely unavoidable the result of such at- 
tempts have always been manifest fail- 
ures, for if the world cannot have bread 
without the depletion of the soil then it is 
most certain that either the world must 
starve or else the soil must be depleted, 
and so in this event the world must finally 
perish for want of bread, for when the soil 
becomes so depleted that crops cannot be 
grown then there will be no bread, and the 
"bread is the life," and therefore there 
can be no life. 

This system is "lame in both legs" — 
"the bed is shorter than a man can stretch 
himself upon, and the covering narrower 
than he can wrap himself in." 

It is strange that men of good sense on 
other topics will so depart from the path 
of reason and right as to advocate a the- 
ory at once so fallacious, so injurious and 
so radicaly erroneous. The supply of 
air and water is inexhaustible and it is 
not unreasonable to believe that the es- 
sential causes of production are also un- 
limited in their supply. There need be no 
new creation of fertility, and there has 
been no demand for it and will be none if 
right conditions of soil are supplied by 
true cultivation. 

AIK A FERTILIZER. 

The air, being as it is, a great storehouse 
of fertility, and the earth, being supplied 
as it is, with unbounded supplies of the 
elements of fertility, and the two, the 



earth and the air, acting conjointly 
in the elaboration of fertility for the 
food of plants, there can be no luck 
where the proper conditions are fulfilled 
by the tiller of the ground. 

Shallow culture of the soil, that is, 
shallow plowing, will not afford the condi- 
tions necessary for the production of 
crops and keep up the fertility of the soil. 
By shallow plowing the soil on the top is 
exhausted of its fertility in a few seasons 
of grain cropping. Shallow plowing does 
not supply the conditions for the absorp- 
tion of rains and so the moisture is carried 
off by evaporation. 

The top soil soon becoming exhausted 
of fertility and the depth of the soil not 
being increased, as it is not by shallow 
plowing, there is no possible way by which 
good yields of crops can be produced. 
The great desideratum being to force 
from the soil the largest returns in the 
farm crops there must be the conditions 
supplied which nature's laws demand, 
and in the absence of this no great results 
may be expected, while the soil will al- 
ways be less productive each season, a re- 
sult most damaging in the extreme. 

POSSIBILITIES OF INCREASE. 

If by proper cultivation the soil is made 
capable of producing double the average 
yield, which is but ?4 bushels per acre, 
there will be an increase of 26 bushels per 
acre, and this increase on ten acres will 
give 360 bu. clear increase over that of the 
average yield now obtained, and on 40 
acres one thousand and forty (1,040) bush- 
els of an increase, and on 100 acres will be 
had twenty-six hundred (2,600) bushels as a 
clear increased yield. And as the culti- 
vation is little greater than when poorly 
done nearly all of the increase in crop is so 
much clear profit, and so the cultivator is 
many times rewarded for the extra labor 
and care. 

Suppose that this increased yield is ob- 
tained throughout the entire country 
wherever corn is grown, what a vast in- 
crease in wealth would we have in com- 
parison with the low yield of the corn 
crop as now obtained. 

But wehave only given one-half of what 
might be had provided the best conditions 
were supplied. One hundred bushels per 
acre might be grown, as is clearly pi-oven 
by yields obtained under the stimulating 



12 



GROWING CORF SUCCESSFULLY. 



influences of large prizes which have here- 
tofore been offered — frequently 150 bush- 
per acre has been grown, so that if we 
make allowance for variations in soils 
throughout the country we shall have as 
the average yield throughout the acknowl- 
edged "corn belt" at least 100 bushels per 
acre, and this increased yield per acre will 
give over the average of 24 bushels now 
grown 76 bushels per acre increased yield, 
and on 10 acres 776 bushels ; on 40 acres an 
increased yield of three thousand and forty 
bushels, and on 100 acres seven thousand 
six hundred bushels. 

This demonstrates that it would pay to 
cultivate t ight, to plow and subsoil to cul- 
tivate and develop the seed so as to obtain 
these great advantages. 

DISCARD THE OLD METHOD. 

It is proof incontrovertible that we do 
not use right methods in the cultivation of 
the ground when we get such miserable 
returns as twenty-four bushels per acre of 
corn. 

Why should farmers on whose shoulders 
is placed the great burden of feeding, 
clothing and supporting the world fall be- 
hind in the advancement and progress 
which so grandly marks the period we are 
now living in, when it is known that they 
hold in their own hands the destinies of 
the grand work in which they are engaged? 
Why should the good farmers fall behind 
in the great procession in their onward 
march? Perhaps the answer to this is 
found in the fact that farmers attempt 
the cultivation of too many acres — too 
large an area — more than can be properly 
covered. 

In the early settlement of the country 
lands were cheap, and every one purchas- 
ing lands aimed to get as much as possible, 
and so it has turned out that this policy, 
instead of proving beneficial, has resulted 
not only disadvantageously, but disas- 
trously, as the sequel will show. Having 
a larger area under cultivation than could 
be properly attended, the result has been 
low, and constantly lowering yields of the 
corn crop, with a necessary and con- 
tinued depletion of fertility of soil, which 
is everywhere complained of. Instead, 
therefore, of this out-reaching policy to 
obtain a large number of acres proving a 
good policy, it has turned out that one- 
half of the lands would have produced 
the same results had right methods been 



employed, and this would have saved the 
original investment, all of the interest on 
land, the expense of keeping up repairs, 
taxes and the labor required to plow, cul- 
tivate and attend. 

INTENSIVE VS. EXTENSIVE. 

And if farmers would get into grass 
about one-half the land they are now 
attempting to cultivate, or would sell off 
one-half and put the remaining half 
under complete cultivation, so that just 
as much should be produced as is now 
obtained from the whole amount, they 
would then see clearly to what extent they 
would be gainers. The more that can be 
produced from a given amount of land the 
greater will be the clearer profit, and 
in this consists the true principles of all 
agricultural work. 

When we undertake to carry too great a 
load— too much of a burden — we must fail, 
ani, consequently, are worse off than we 
would be if we had attempted only that 
which we could have carried through with 
success. 

So it is in the matter of growing too 
many acres of corn with a given amount 
of force to carry on the work, the result 
must be that a meager yield of crop will be 
grown, and, of course, depletion of soil al- 
ways follows insufficient cultivation. 

It is a rule, well established, that pro- 
ducing the best yields the soil is uniformly 
improved, and the reason is obvious, for 
it is by good cultivation that the best 
crops are produced. And it is by good cul- 
tivation that the fertility of the soil is 
brought out and made available. And so 
it is strictly true that the production of 
the largest yields of crops is invariably ac- 
companied with increased fertility. And 
although it is by this grand truth that a 
great many persons are wonderfully " net- 
tled," yet it is self-evident that if the 
best cultivation is given the best crops 
will be grown. And it is as self-evident 
that it is by the best cultivation that the 
fertility of the soil is improved. And al- 
though the proposition seems to strike 
some persons quite unfavorably, yet it is 
in exact harmony with known practical 
results. For example, it is known that the 
best farmers always raise the best crops, 
and it is as well known that such farmers 
always have the best farms, their lands 
are the richest, and they always grow the 
best crops. 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



13 



ECONOMICAL FARMING. 

If, then, it is true, as has been seen, that 
by good culture crops can be more than 
doubled, it would be good economy to 
greatly lessen the cultivated area and im- 
prove the methods of culture, so reducing 
the cost of production to the lowest fig- 
ures possible and thereby enhancing the 
clear profits of the farm. These principles 
apply with equal force to all farm crops 
as well as to t'ie corn crop, and should 
have a general practical application. 

To pre>ent in a condensed form all of the 
foregoing conclusions, as well as the 
premises upon which they are based, will 
be the work of the remaining pages of 
this work. 

It has only been a few years since no one 
advocated deep plowing — it was a very 
unpopular doctrine — and the one who ad- 
vocated it was looked upon as somewhat 
" cranky," a good deal " off his base." 

Some few years since a long discussion 
of the question of deep plowing was con- 
ducted in the columns of The Western 
Plowman, and only one person advocated 
deep plowing and subsoil plowing ; but 
since that time many have been convinced 
that the only course that can be pursued 
to remedy existing evils as relates to de- 
pletion of soils and low yields of crops, is 
the adoption of deep plowing each season, 
and occasional subsoil plowing. As proof 
of the great change that has taken place, 
it is known that there are now three man- 
ufacturing establishments that are putting 
out subsoil plows on sale to be used the 
coming season. And it is further known 
that successful experiments have been 
made and reported as to the relative re- 
sults of subsoil plowing as compared with 
ordinary plowing. 

RETAINING THE MOISTURE. 

The evidence in favor of subsoil plowing 
resulting from these experiments is abund- 
ant and overwhelming, establishing its 
utility beyond the possibility of a doubt. 

It is encouraging to note these changes 
in public sentiment regarding this very 
important matter. 

As has been wisely said, moisture is the 
most important element in the production 
of crops, as by water all the elements of 
fertility are carried to the fine roots of 
plants, and by the abs'orpiion of water 
the accompanying fertility is also taken 
up. 



To consume the moisture of rain is the 
great work of agriculture, and this is done 
by preparing the soil to absorb moisture 
before it evaporates. Storing it deep 
down in the earth to be brought up again 
for the use of plants by the capillary 
action of the earth, to enable the soil to 
readily absorb all moisture it is necessary 
that it be mellowed deep down by deep 
plowing each season, and subsoil plowing 
occasionally. 

To store the moisture is just like crib- 
bing at least one- half of a good crop of 
corn, because if a supply of moisture is al- 
ways had the yield of crop will be at least 
double what it would be if only common 
plowing is done, and common cultivation 
given. The greater the depth of cultiva- 
tion the greater will be the amount of 
moisture that will follow. 

OLD FOGYISMS WON'T DO, 

But cultivation after plowing is as im- 
portant in its relation to good crops as 
proper plowiug. 

The cultivation must be so frequent that 
the soil will hold its moisture during the 
entire season of crop growth ; for unless 
this is the case the yield of crop must be 
cut short. 

The cultivation must be shallow so as to 
not destroy the roots of the plants, for cer- 
tainly it is not a good plan to cut off the 
roots which feed the plants ; that old fash- 
ioned and old fogy way will not do in this 
advanced age. 

The progresive farmer has got away 
from that " old rut" habit. 

The cultivation must continue until the 
maturity of the grain, for if it is sus- 
pended sooner and the soil on the surface 
dries out the crop will fail of making the 
yield it otherwise would do. Usually the 
corn crop gets less than one-half Ithe 
amount of cultivation that it would pay 
to give it. Generally three or four culti- 
vations is all that is given, and it is very 
evident that this is only one-half as much 
as should be given. One each week from 
planting until the maturity of the grain 
is little enough. The crop requires cul- 
tivation at least once each week from 
the beginning. But it is objected that 
time cannot be given to cultivate each 
week the entire crop, yet there is where 
the " trouble begins." There are too 
many acros in corn ; the ground can only 
be half plowed, half cultivated, and the 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



14 



result is a half crop, while if one-half the 
ground, or less, was put in corn and the 
work done in the best manner "from start 
to finish," there would be as: much corn 
harvested, and of a great deal better 
quality, while the entire expense <of 'own- 
ing, working, keeping in repair, fencing 
and taxes would be a clear saving. Thor- 
ough work on the smallest area is the 
road to success in this as in every other 
department of human enterprise. 

DOUBLE YOUR CORN CROPS. 

Do well whatever is attempted and best 
results will always follow, whether it is 
growing corn for the general crop, or for 
seed, or any other work to be done on the 
farm, whether in connection with growing 
crops or raising stock, or in any other of 
the many departments of farm work. 

If it is true that the proper cultivation 
of the ground will produce double as 
much crop as is produced by slack culture, 
which results in depletion of soil and loss 
of crops, then the gain will bring great 
success where failure is now the dismal 
result. 

Better methods, better work all around 
and better results of a better life should 
be the great aim of all who are engaged 
in the great calling of agriculture. 

The first great work to the lot of man 
was to " dress the garden and keep it." 
The second work was to " till the ground.'''' 
The first work was allotted to man before 
he transgressed ; the second work was 
laid out after transgression, and that work 
must continue until the "restitution," 
when man will be returned to the first 
work — that is. the earth will then "yield 
her increase" and the "tree of the fields 
shall yield her fruit," and then all that 
man will have to do is to " dress and keep 
it." 

WORK ON BUSINESS PRINCIPLES. 

Seed development along this line is an 
important work not to be lost sight of for 
any consideration, as it lies at the very 
bottom of successful corn production and 
never can fail to bring success whenever 
and wherever practiced. 

It is in strict harmony with the princi- 
ples of progress by which the world is 
being constantly revolutionized in all de- 
partments of human enterprise. 

How in the name of reason do farmers 
expect to keep up with the advancing col- 



umns of civilization unless they apply 
the same principles to their calling that 
are adopted and followed by other de- 
partments of industrial progress? When 
it is seen that any improvement in the 
seed will unavoidably have an influence 
over the general crop to increase thequan- 
tity and improve the quality it is in har- 
mony with every principle of economy to 
adopt such measures as will insure the de- 
sired result, especially when it is seen 
that so little labor is required to accom- 
plish the most desirable results. It is cer- 
tainly a very great departure from true 
economy to neglect this essential particu- 
lar. 

Surely the time has come when every 
farmer will try to make some improve- 
ment in the seed and in the yield and 
quality of the general crop. Unless far- 
mers get out of the " oldjruts "jthey will 
continue to be valued Jin accord with the 
estimate they themselves place upon these 
important principles of agriculture. 

DEPLETION OF THE SOIL. 

Will not farmers be 'persuaded by their 
own interests and by the welfare of the 
world which is dependent upon them for 
food, to break away from the practices 
that have held them in bondage for ages 
past? 

The sooner the cultivators of the ground 
adopt intelligent methods of seed develop- 
ment and similar methods inganeral farm 
work the sooner will be arrested this fatal 
tendency to soil depletion, everywhere 
felt, and the sooner will the yield of the 
corn crop equal the demands of natural 
laws. 

Something must be done soon, or the av- 
erage farmer will starve to death. 

The average of corn, and, in fact, all 
farm crops, for the past twenty years has 
been below the paying point and shows a 
constant tendency downward, which will, 
if not arrested, engulf the average farmer 
and those below him in bankruptcy and 
ruin. 

Seed development, deep plowing each 
season, with occasional subsoil plowing, 
thorough and careful cultivation, saving 
all the manure, judiciously and properly 
applying it, together with all other helps 
and useful appliances and methods, must 
be resorted to and practiced by farmers 
in order to arrest the universal tendency 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



15 



to depleted soils, low average of crops and 
general loss throughout the entire range 
of farm enterprise. 

How few farmers are living in that in- 
dependent way in which it is their right 
and duty to live? 

THOROUGH WORK DEMANDED. 

If farmers attempt the practice of econ- 
omy in two particulars only a great gain 
would be made. 

First — Lessening the amount of land in 
cultivation, so saving the cost of the land, 
interest, taxes, repairs, and the time and 
labor to cultivate. 

Second — Increasing the productive ca- 
pacity of that which is cultivated, so that 
the same amount of products is had from 
the lessened area as formerly from the 
whole amount. This course would result 
in greater independence, greater leisure 
and enjoyment, and much greater profit. 

It is wonderful to what extent lands may 
be improved in productive capacity. It is 
known that near the large cities land rents 
for an annual rental of $100 per acre. 

How is it possible to improve the fertility 
so as to develop such marvelous results ? 

It can only be said that deep plowing 
and subsoiling, and, where needed, under 
draining, together with the best care and 
culture, including liberal fertilization, ac- 
cording to the circumstances surrounding, 
care in allowing the soil to dry out after 
rains, so that the ground is not worked 
when wet, is one of the ways to care for 
land. Many persons cut short the fertility 
of the land by plowing and cultivating 
when wet. This is very injurious, and one 
such injury to the soil will show bad re- 
sults for at least a few years. 

EXTERMINATE THE WEEDS. 

Allowing stock to tramp over the ground 
after crops aie removed, and when the 
ground is soft, is a very injurious thing, 
and ought never be practiced by farmers. 

Too great care cannot be taken in these 
matters. And last but not least, great care 
should be observed in preventing weeds 
from growing in the corn field. 

The cultivation must be such as to pre- 
vent weeds from growing; for weeds 
readily start into growth and con- 
sume moisture and plant food, and 
loss to that extent will ensue : but if the 



cultivation is so frequent as to prevent 
growth, then loss cannot take place, and 
the crop will grow and mature perfectly. 

If the ground has been allowed to go to 
weeds, then there will have to be extra 
exertions put forth to keep down weeds, 
and generally there will be a growth of 
weeds after the corn is "laid by," and for 
this reason, as well as other very impor- 
tant ones heretofore pointed out, the cul- 
tivation should be continued until the 
maturity of the grain. 

But if after the crop is laid by weeds 
spring up and grow, it would be advisable 
to hire help, if necessary, to destroy them 
while very young, so that none go to seed 
to fill up the land and infest it another 
season. It requires much less labor to ex- 
terminate fully the first crop of weeds than 
it does to fight them the succeeding sea- 
son, and all seasons in the future In fact, 
the only way to get clear of them is to 
make clean work the first season and allow 
none to go to seed. 

SOME CLOSING HINTS. 

Millions of bushels of corn have been 
lost, and are lost, every season by the 
presence of weeds. It is impossible to grow 
a good crop of corn and at the same time a 
good crop of weeds. It is doubtless true 
that the best economy would destroy all 
weeds the first serson, and if all farmers 
would unite they could overcome the 
weeds to a very great extent. 

Nothing would pay better than for each 
neighborhood to make a special agreemtnt 
among themselves to destroy all weeds, 
not only in the fields and pastures, but 
along the roadside, and in every " nook 
and corner." 

Probably one-half the labor expended in 
the destruction of weeds each season could 
be saved if a proper effort should be put 
forth by a united community, besides 
the saving of the great loss of crop 
yields. 

The great object is to prevent the seed 
from maturing, and if this is done the 
certainty of their extermination is as- 
sured. One weed stalk will mature seed 
enough to sow two or three acres, which 
will require one hundred times as much 
labor to keep down as would have been 
required to destroy that one stalk. 

If the presence of weeds in the growing 
corn should cut off the yield five bushels 



L6 



GROWING CORN SUCCESSFULLY. 



per acre, this would make a loss of two 
hundred bushels on forty acres, and this 
would pay for the total destruction of 
weeds on that forty acres for five years. 
And if this is true it is seen that the most 
successful way would be to determine upon 
a tour of extermination. 

This once decided the work will be short 
and decisive, accomplishing the desired 
result. 

Nothing would be more attractive to the 
eye and sense of the passerby than to wit- 
ness the fields, the meadows, the roadsides, 
the fence rows, and " all and singular " 
of the entire farm entirely free from 
weeds and their destructive work. 

IMPROVE THE HOME. 

Every farmer should aim to make his 
farm, his dwelling and all his surround- 
ings in such condition that all who pass 
that way will say, "I would like to live 
there" 

This would make the country a " Garden 
of Eden." This would convert the coun- 
try into a paradise, almost, and would 
raise the farmers and their families to the 



" highest niche of honor ; " it would pTace 
them where they are entitled to stand by 
their sacred, important calling, and this 
high honor can be achieved by every one 
who will give the subject that attention 
which its great importance demands. 

To be able to grow 100 bushels of corn 
per acre will enable every farmer to place 
his farm and everything belonging to it 
in that condition that will carry him and 
his family to the "front" with "highest 
honors," and with satisfaction, content- 
ment, happiness, prosperity and wealth, 

The farmer has the advantage — the 
great advantage of position— he stands at 
the head. His place is where he can get 
the greatest blessings of a kind Providence 
"at first hands." 

His position places him next to the great 
Creator, and where he can receive the 
blessings of God direct from his hand. 

A devout thankfulness should fill his 
very being for these high and holy privi- 
leges conferred, not upon all, but only 
upon hin. who is at work "to UU the 
ground." 







f'BJUuy 




° 000 ^ S 3 fe[) " 




